AG 1997 08 12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Hunt urges agency to declare disaster RALEIGH -- Gov. Jim Hunt has urged the Small Business Administration to declare Cabarrus, Rowan, Mecklenburg and Stanly counties and seven contiguous counties as disaster areas following last week's torrential rains and high winds. Hunt requested the aid in a letter to Michael Allen, area director for the Small Bus/ness Administration Disaster Assistance in Atlanta. The other counties included in the request are Anson, Davidson, Gaston, Iredetl, Lincoln, Montgomery and Union. The disaster declaration would apply to the counties hardest hit by flooding. "I want to make sure we are tapping every resource available to help people recover from devastating home and business damage that occurred during last week's storms," Hunt said. If the request is approved by the Small Business Administration, residents in those areas could be eligible for Iow interest loans to cover storm- related losses. North Carolina Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency damage assessment teams found that more than 400 homes and businesses were damaged in western counties as a result of the flooding. Last week, Hunt declared a state of disaster in 33 counties. including Cabarms and Rowan. That was the ftt~t step required to begin the process of damage assessment and requests for federal funding. Hunt also directed the Department of Correction to make inmate labor available to help repair tobacco damage. This week, more than 700 inmates have helped tobacco farmers in 10 counties. Last week's rains, partially spawned by the remnants of Hurricane Danny. invaded portions of the Southeast. including the Piedmont area of North Carolina with torrential rains... . . In the wake of the storm, gome homeowners ha~e struggted to clear out and dO' near[.',' ruined homes: while others a~ait insurance settlements on ruined automobiles.